Our design team is clever – they understand that sustainability goes hand in hand with creating quality homes for modern living. Minimising waste and maximising efficiency is at the heart of what they do; they focus on inventive use of space and efficient planning so that real value is returned to our buyers.
Each of our developments is completely unique, with the team spending a lot of time getting the eco credentials up to scratch – from the methods of construction used to the paint on the walls. Our latest development in Barking, Harbard Close IG11, is a great example of a sustainable housing development in London. Read on to find out more about it.
It is officially summer, and we are happy to report that a new batch of Pocket residents have moved into our first development in Wanstead – Gardner Close E11. These affordable Pocket homes are exclusively occupied by first time buyers who live or work in Redbridge, making it an extension of the wider community. Right around the corner from Wanstead Station and Wanstead High Street, they have easy access to a range of local amenities.
Pocket developments are unique because they are filled with like-minded city makers who have often struggled to afford to buy a home in London. With so much in common, we have already seen friendships form amongst neighbours at Gardner Close, and we cannot wait to see the community spirit build as they all get settled in. Read on to find out how we welcomed them to their new Pocket homes and what they are getting up to!
East London has a lot to offer, with certain areas becoming increasingly desirable due to rapid regeneration. A vibrant borough that we’re keeping an eye on is Barking and Dagenham, which is seeing significant growth in the arts and cultural sectors and an influx of jobs and new homes. More and more young people are moving further eastwards in search of affordable homes, so we’re pleased to have built a development for first time buyers right in the heart of this exciting borough!
London wouldn’t be London without its canals, riversides,
gardens and parks. In fact, over 18% of the city is made up of parks, which is
why it was named the world’s first ‘National Park City’. Beyond Hyde Park and
Hampstead Heath, there are many lesser known nature areas big and small dotted
around London’s boroughs. We make it our mission to build our developments in areas that
have good access to them.
Will mortgage rates go down in 2021? We’ve been hearing a lot about mortgage rates trends in light of the Brexit trade deal and coronavirus, so we thought we’d unpack this a bit for all you first time buyers who may be thinking about buying your first home in the coming months.
Buying your first
home is likely to be one of the biggest decisions of your life. Preparing the
right questions to ask when viewing a home is a key element of the process, but
too many first-time home buyers fall into the trap of rushing through
viewings and turning up unprepared. This can lead to valuable time wasted and
unnecessary stress.
Property viewings are
an opportunity to find out everything you can to ensure that you find a home
that’s right for you. By maximising every viewing, you will be equipped to make
an informed decision about what home to buy. After all – you only get one
chance to be a first-time buyer, so get it right!
Ever check your bank account and wonder how your pay cheque disappeared so fast? Don’t stress – saving money is a problem that most people face at some point in their lives. Whether you are looking to pay for a house, or treat yourself to a nice holiday, knowing about ways to save money allows you to do the things you enjoy without worrying about the cost. Thankfully, it is never too late to start saving, and 2021 is a perfect time to think about how you can improve your finances. Find out some of the best ways to save money by using our saving tips below.
It’s scientifically proven that the spaces we live in affect our wellbeing. In big cities like London, it’s vital to live somewhere that’s not only affordable and well-located but also thoughtfully designed. That’s why promoting wellness in Pocket developments is such a fundamental part of our design.
The pandemic pivot
If anything highlighted the importance of this link between home and wellbeing, it was the pandemic. During this time, the relationship with our homes underwent a significant change. They evolved from places where we eat, sleep and play to places where we work and exercise too, blurring boundaries as we knew them.
At the height of the pandemic, we collaborated on research with LSE London to provide a snapshot of how London’s young renting workforce lived during lockdown. We found that those surveyed had, on average, just 9.3m2 of private personal space. Isolation, cramped living conditions and lack of access to outside spaces are problems that many city dwellers face, but the pandemic really brought them to the surface.
It highlighted just how important it is to create quality, affordable homes that allow city makers to live and work comfortably.
An expert’s view on healthier buildings
Former Pocket resident and author of Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Wellbeing, Ben Channon, previously shared his thoughts on how buildings affect mental health, telling us:
‘We spend over 90% of our time in buildings, so architecture (particularly our homes) can affect us in many ways. Bigger windows can help regulate our circadian rhythms and improve our sleep. Great communal spaces can encourage us to be more social and counteract loneliness, which we know has a significant impact on morbidity rates. And the use of natural materials like timber or stone has been shown to improve our mood and even lower our blood pressure.’
At Pocket Living, we’ve always used clever design to promote wellness. Read on to learn more about how we support wellbeing in Pocket developments and how we’re continuing to innovate.
Pocket design
Communal outdoor spaces
Communal areas for residents to meet and socialise are part of every Pocket development. These include outdoor spaces like:
Rooftop terraces, increasing biodiversity while giving residents somewhere to breathe fresh air and socialise with each other.
Landscaped gardens, offering spaces to pause, unwind and enjoy nature.
Allotments with plant beds, allowing residents to grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers, while making developments greener and more sustainable.
Working from home
The findings from our report with LSE showed that during lockdown, 37% of those surveyed were sleeping and working in their bedroom, and nearly half of respondents reported not having a suitable place to work. Many were also affected by noise and limited privacy, and the lack of a suitable workspace can be largely detrimental to wellbeing.
With this in mind, it’s important to have a suitable space to work from home. That’s why Pocket developments often feature communal workspaces and breakout areas, offering residents an alternative place to work beyond their home offices. Spaces like these can also facilitate professional interactions and networking opportunities among the community.
Many Pocket homeowners choose to set up home offices in their living rooms, where the design has been carefully considered to accommodate a workspace. We also have a document available to help residents create an optimal WFH environment.
Creating a sense of community
Each Pocket development has its own unique sense of community; with residents being local first-time buyers, they already have a lot in common. Before they move in, we host a welcome drinks reception so they can get to know each other. We also help buyers set up a residents’ management committee to decide how their building should be run.
Pocket buyers have a support network of like-minded people, and we promote this sense of community wherever possible. One way we do this is the Pocket App. Since its launch in 2019, we’ve rolled it out to all developments, helping homeowners connect and stay up-to-date with what’s happening in their communities.
Wellbeing facilities near Pocket developments
It’s easier to prioritise wellbeing when you have health facilities and service providers close to home. That’s why our Pocket developments are in locations with convenient access to gyms, parks and wellness clinics.
Addiscombe Grove, East Croydon
Located just a short walk from East Croydon town centre, Addiscombe Grove is close to several gyms and fitness studios. Options include well-known favourites like The Gym Group, PureGym and Nuffield Health, and boutique spaces like Reformer Club Croydon and MoreYoga.
There are plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors too. Nearby green spaces include Park Hill Park and Lloyd Park, ideal for running, walking and sports like football and tennis.
For holistic self-care, head to The Wellness Therapy Centre, which has your health, wellbeing and beauty needs covered. Services include osteopathy, podiatry, massage therapy, counselling and more.
Forest Road, Walthamstow
At Forest Road in Walthamstow, you’ll have a range of fitness communities at your fingertips. East of Eden is your go-to for barre, yoga, reformer Pilates and spin; Sanson Pilates provides private and small-group classes; and personal training is on hand at the likes of SGF Training and Elevate Fitness.
Public green spaces combine nature and leisure, with Lloyd Park featuring an outdoor gym. Meanwhile, the expansive Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre has an outdoor athletics track, swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, a spa and much more.
Further wellness experiences are on offer at Tuned In Sound, a meditation and breathwork specialist just a short walk from our Pocket homes in Walthamstow. There are also several massage clinics nearby, like MeiLu Health Spa and Studio Lomas, perfect for a relaxing or restorative treatment.
Woodside Park, Finchley
Woodside Park benefits from proximity to North Finchley’s amenities, including a selection of wellness centres. Whether you’re looking for chiropractic care, acupuncture, osteopathy or massage therapy, there’s a clinic to suit – check out the likes of N12 Health and North London Wellness Clinic for more information.
Your physical health is covered too, thanks to gyms and fitness studios like Restoractive, MoreYoga and PureGym. And when the outdoors call, lace up your trainers for a stroll through Riverside Park, just a stone’s throw from the development.
Sheepcote Road, Harrow
Our Sheepcote Road development in Harrow has a range of health and wellbeing services nearby. For fitness, there’s Gold’s Gym, Buzz Gym and The Gym Group all within walking distance. If you prefer exercising outdoors, then you can either pound the pavements or head to runner-friendly green spaces like Harrow Recreation Ground and Kenton Recreation Ground.
When it’s time to realign, Harrow Chiropractic has your back (literally and figuratively). And for aesthetics, there’s The Wellness Station and Ultra Wellbeing & Aesthetic Clinic, which both offer a range of treatments.
The future of wellbeing at Pocket homes
We’re continuing to innovate wherever we can to promote wellbeing at our Pocket communities. This includes exploring options for future developments, like enhanced wellness areas, dedicated fitness spaces and urban farms.
One thing’s for certain – we remain passionate about evolving and delivering innovative homes that meet the modern needs of city makers.
Ready to start your Pocket home-buying journey? Create a My Pocket account to register for homes you might be eligible for.
Pocket Living has a mission – to help first time buyers who can’t afford to buy a home in London make that dream a reality. And who better to make this possible for than London’s key workers who are currently on the front line during the COVID-19 crisis?
That’s why we’re shining a light on Thara’s story, an NHS nurse who bought a home at West Green Place N17 just before London went into lockdown. She grew up in Haringey and works in the intensive care unit of a local hospital, so she was overjoyed to be able to buy a home in her community. ‘It was really important to me to stay in London. I love it for its tolerance and diversity. I’m a proud Londoner!’
You can’t control the world around you, but you can control how you manage your finances. During uncertain times, it becomes increasingly important to set a foundation that will still allow you to reach your long term goals, such as buying a home, by increasing your financial stability.
